Tech giant Huawei working on EVs: report
Huawei is the latest tech company interested in selling electric cars, at least according to overseas reports.
The Chinese technology giant is best known for its smartphones and plans to play a role in the development of the 5G network in Australia, something halted by the Australian government due to security concerns.
But a report from news agency Reuters suggests the ambitious company that has state support in China wants to enter the growing world of EVs.
Citing at least four unnamed sources Reuters says had knowledge of developments and negotiations within the Shenzhen-based company that has a workforce of about 200,000 people.
Reuters says Huawei is having discussions with Changan Automotive and a division of BAIC, each state-owned Chinese car makers.
Its sources also suggest Huawei has begun designing and engineering electric vehicles and has opened discussions with suppliers.
Some of that work would presumably be happening at Huawei’s giant Xiliubeipo village, which is in Guangdong province but has buildings inspired by parts of Europe.
The report even nominated Huawei executive Richard Yu – who has worked for the company since 1993 – as the person to lead the EV charge.
The report suggests Huawei would want to utilise existing manufacturing facilities as a way to sidestep the massive capital costs associated with establishing a new brand.
It’s a familiar path taken by many emerging EV manufacturers, including Fisker and Lordstown.
However, a Huawei spokesman suggested the company was more interested in supplying components and technology to existing manufacturers rather than going it alone.
“Huawei is not a car manufacturer,” the spokesman said. “However through ICT (information and communications technology), we aim to be a digital car-oriented and new-added components provider, enabling car OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) to build better vehicles.”
Late in 2020 Huawei showed off the HiCar, which used an existing vehicle to showcase connected technologies and infotainment systems it plans to sell to existing manufacturers, allowing over-the-air updated, artificial intelligence and connected services.
In announcing HiCar Huawei said it “strives to partner with developers to bring a seamless AI life integrating the hime, the phone and the car”.
Huawei isn’t the only tech giant to be linked to manufacturing cars.
Apple has long been rumoured to be developing a car, something that has gained momentum in recent months.
And Google (or Alphabet, Google’s parent company ) is among the most advanced in autonomous vehicle technologies, something it has explored putting in its own cars.
